In August, Zeeshan Siddique was expelled from Congress over allegations of cross-voting in the Maharashtra legislative council elections. Days after his father, former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, was tragically shot dead outside his office, Zeeshan joined the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar.
Zeeshan Siddique joins NCP.
Zeeshan Siddique, son of the late Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, has officially joined the NCP faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Zeeshan, who was previously a Congress MLA for Bandra East, was expelled from the Congress in August for allegedly cross-voting in the Maharashtra legislative council elections—a charge he denied.
This decision follows a significant personal tragedy, as Baba Siddique was shot dead on October 12 outside Zeeshan’s office, while celebrating Diwali with firecrackers. The Bishnoi gang reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, citing Baba Siddique’s close association with Bollywood actor Salman Khan as the reason.
In an emotional statement, Zeeshan expressed gratitude to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare for their support and announced his plans to contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections from the Bandra East constituency, where he won in 2019 on a Congress ticket. “This is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar and others for believing in me during these challenging times. I am confident that with the love and support of the people, we will win Bandra East again,” he said.
The Bandra East seat has been allocated to Shiv Sena (UBT) as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Shiv Sena has chosen Varun Sardesai, nephew of Uddhav Thackeray, as their candidate for the constituency, which further intensifies the political contest.
Reflecting on his time in Congress, Zeeshan voiced his disappointment, citing a lack of recognition despite years of dedication to the party. He noted that Congress often operates under the influence of the Shiv Sena (UBT), which led to his decision to switch allegiances.
He also shared how his father’s dream was to see him win the Bandra East seat once more and continue his legacy. “My father’s dream was to fight for the people’s rights. He was murdered while pursuing that cause, and I will honor his memory by contesting with renewed vigor,” Zeeshan stated passionately.
Though unsure if the attack was meant for him, Zeeshan acknowledged the risks associated with his political journey and expressed his resolve to continue his father’s work. In a heartfelt remark, he added, “My father’s absence will always be felt. His wish was to see my sister and me get married, and while his presence is missed every day, I carry his vision and courage forward.”
